Search Results: future in laws

I like this tale from Norse myth

Alvis the dwarf (His name means “All Wise”) was so proud of his great store of knowledge he let hubris get the better of him. Off he went to Asgard, aiming to win a wife from among the Aesir. Thor's daughter Thrud caught his eye, and apparently the know-it-all impressed her with his smooth talk. Reluctantly, the Gods agreed to this mismatched marriage.

But Thor was off bashing Jotuns, as he's so often called upon to do. He met Alvis on the road as he was returning, and was not pleased with the tale the dwarf told.

Alvis was still protected by the laws of hospitality; Thor's hammer couldn't help him here. And to simply forbid the marriage wouldn't prevent a future elopement. No, Thor would have to save his daughter from her impetuous infatuation, and without resorting to violence.

So Thor took a different tack. Perhaps he'd already sized up his daughter's suitor. Or maybe he decided to give the dwarf a chance to prove himself. Regardless, he asked Alvis why he, a God, should bestow his blessing on this betrothal.

Alvis was silent about his prowess and warlike deeds. He made no mention of wealth or family background. No, all he could offer was his education and erudite words. “Ask me anything,” was the essence of his speech. “I know everything!”

Thor agreed to these terms. Notice that Thor doesn't attempt to match knowledge with the dwarf. At that, he'd surely lose. But he knows the only thing he needs to know - that given the chance, Alvis would talk all night.

So Thor proceeded to ask questions, and the dwarf had all the answers, just as he'd promised. But clever Alvis would have been better served with a bit less wisdom and a mite more common sense. When daylight arrived with him still above ground, he had turned to stone - for such is the way of dwarves.

The real lesson here is likely to be lost. Be not deceived by degrees and proffered Ph. D.'s. Too many talkers are but educated fools, and arrogant to boot.